NERC Independent Research Fellowship 2023 (UK)

Apply for funding to further your career through an independent research fellowship.

Through an independent research fellowship (IRF), they will invest in researchers seeking to conduct their own environmental research within an eligible host organisation. You should demonstrate convincing evidence of working towards this goal and a high potential to become an independent research leader of the future.
You must demonstrate that, if awarded an IRF, you will be working independently of senior colleagues with whom you might have previously collaborated or with whom you might currently be working in a supporting role.
This funding opportunity supports excellent investigator-led research across the breadth of our scientific remit. They welcome multidisciplinary applications that cross into other research council areas but expect the primary focus of your work to fall within our remit.
They work with other research councils to ensure that applications close to remit boundaries are assessed by the most appropriate lead council.

You must:
- be an early career researcher
- hold a PhD qualification or expect to submit your thesis before the fellowship interview
- be based at a UK research organisation eligible for NERC funding
They welcome applications from any area of NERC’s remit.
This funding opportunity is open to early career researchers wishing to carry out independent research. Applicants on an upward trajectory to pursuing working independently and developing research leadership are encouraged to apply.
You must also be able to evidence reasonable scientific and technical skills and competencies, in line with the ambitions of the Independent Research Fellowship (IRF) scheme.
If you are currently studying for a PhD, you are only eligible if you are expecting to have passed your PhD viva before March 2024.
There is no limit on the number of years postdoctoral or work experience.
Holders of postdoctoral training fellowships such as the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions can apply. Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellows and Daphne Jackson Trust Fellows who meet all eligibility requirements may also apply.
If you have been included on applications as a project co-lead, then you are eligible to apply provided you still meet all eligibility criteria. Your application must be different from applications you have been included on.
You may be employed at a lecturer level that is clearly a ‘teaching only’ post.

You should not apply if you hold, or have ever held:
- a position at lecturer level (or the equivalent in an institution other than a university) that includes setting up a group and conducting your own research
- an equivalent competitive fellowship that allows you to establish an independent research group, and therefore independent researcher status
- a tenured academic post
If you hold a fellowship where you are eligible to supervise PhD students or submit research grants as a project lead, then they consider that equivalent to a lectureship. As a result, you are not eligible to apply.

Deadline: 8 November 2023